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Author
Topic: What do you think of iDiagnostics? (Read 22572 times)

I searched on words in subject and could not find a related question. I apologize if their is a like minded question out there that I didnt find. Anyways, I appreciate any assistance you can provide.

I am a guy and met a guy the other day. We had oral sex (giving and receiving) althogh I only gave oral for a few strokes with no ejaculation. I know the risk here - no biggie. However, he rubbed the head of his penis at the opening of my anus for a few seconds before i pulled away. No entry but the head was at the entrance and i could feel him trying to push and I pulled away. My concern is that I had clean up around my anus after defecating a couple of hours earlier and the toilet paper I used was coarse. I feel like I have a rug burn or paper cut around my anus from wiping. I am concerned in the few seconds his head as at the opening/entrance of my anus that pre-cum could have entered by body through this abrasion.

Is this anything to worry about? Should I take PEP? I think I am overreacting and my exposure was probably higher for giving oral for a few seconds. And I know that oral is such a minimal risk wihtout ejaculation.

Would appreciate your response to calm my nerves. I tried searching the internet but not a lot on frottage or people use it loosley defined.

Worried, as you have already been told PEP is absolutely not indicated in relation to this incident.

Nothing you have described, including if your anus was a bit irritated, would qualify as a risk. Just be careful that in the future playing around the anus doesn't "slip into" actual penetration. Even if it breaks the mood at the time, you may need to verbalize that BEFORE anything goes further. Unprotected intercourse whether giving or receiving, is the major risk for transmission. So keep those latex condoms handy.

The risk in giving oral, particularly without ejaculation, is very, very low. You seem to have accepted that.

We do recommend in general that anyone who's sexually active regularly have a full STD panel done, which means at least annually.

I totally agree with both Dark and Andy - nothing you've described was a risk for hiv infection.

Along with Andy's advice to keep the condoms handy and USE them for anal or vaginal intercourse, please read through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you know for sure how to use them correctly. A correctly used condom rarely breaks and offers excellent protection against hiv transmission.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thanks guys for the response. It really alleviates any worries I had. Don't worry, I don't do anal as it is just too risky. I also asked his status before we fooled around and he said he was clean, but you never know. My main concerns were that I told him I would not have anal sex and he still tried to penetrate me, that kinda freaked me out.

One other thing - I did get tested a couple of weeks ago. The test was a rapid 10 minute test by Uni-Gold out of Ireland. The counselor stated it is 99% effective at detecting HIV at 5 weeks (i verified on their website). Might be good information to pass on. I know that Planned Parenthood has ordered a bunch.

One final word re the use of the word "clean" in referring to HIV or any other STD.

One is neither clean nor dirty as far as HIV is concerned, (or indeed any STD). One is either negative or positive. Using adjectives like clean and dirty promote continuing all of the prejudices too commonly held about those living with HIV.

I don't think you meant to be offensive, but consider if you will how someone living with the virus feels when feeling others see him/her as "dirty."

Mind is starting to play tricks on me as I obsess about the encounter. I know that he did not get past my sphincter but was up against it for around 10 seconds tryiing to push. Would he have to get through my sphincter to be considered penetration? I have had anal sex twice in the past (with protection) and this did not feel even close ot the same as having someon inside me. But he was in my anal hole a little bit but not inside me. Not sure if that makes sense; but I hope you get my meaning. Does your advise still apply?

Penetration means something has gone through an opening into the inside of something. You weren't, by your own admission, penetrated.

While you do not need testing over this incident, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Your mind is working overtime to no good purpose. I don't see this as a risky situation but if you're going to continue to worry and wonder, then get tested, collect the inevitable negative result and move on.

And in the future when you're with someone make clear to your partner BEFOREHAND that if there's any anal play you want him to wear a condom right off.

Andy/Ann - sorry in advance. I reviewed anal anatomy on the internet so I can be more precise. The guy tried to push his penis inside me. However, he got about 1/2 inch to an inch into my rectal canal (for about 10 seconds) but not past my internal sphincter and into my rectum. The website I reviewed http://tperkins.com/anal/anal_anatomy.html should give you an idea of what I am talking about.

If this is how you previously understood it then I apologize for elaborating. if not, do you still think I have no risk? He did not do any thrusting back and forth, only forward until I pulled away once I realized what he was trying to do. So I doubt there was any tears except for the abrasions from wiping earlier with abrasive toilet paper. The only fluid that could have been present would have been precum; but I dont know if it was present or not.

I will get tested and have always gotten tested on a regular basis. I also practice safe sex but this caught me off guard and has me feeling quite anxious.

If you are certain that you were penetrated to this small extent, well, that is something called "dipping". It is still very unlikely that you would have become infected from this very brief experience.

There are so many factors that go against hiv being able to transmit and infect. For example, are you aware that hiv throws out many corrupted copies of itself and these corrupted copies are incapable of infecting. Hiv is also very particular about its environment and quickly becomes damaged when the environment isn't to its liking.

If you'd had full unprotected anal intercourse and taken a load, then you'd have real reason to worry. It's like the difference between someone flicking water off their hand at you from way across the room or having that person come within a few feet of you and throwing a bucket of water at you. What are the risks of you getting water on your nose from either scenario?

Keep getting those regular sexual health care checks and make sure they include tests for the more common and easily transmitted infections. You were much more likely to become infected with gonorrhea from your experience. I'm fully expecting your hiv test to return a negative result. So don't stress!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thanks for the response. I will get tested at 5 weeks with the Trinity Bio Tech rapid test. The last time I got tested with the Trinity Uni-gold test, the counselor said they use it because it is a more advanced test that detects HIV at 5 weeks for 100% of positive and 99.7% for negative.

Do you know anything about this test? I had always thought 13 weeks was the standard. The HIV clinic I go to in Boulder, CO said that used to be the case before this test.

To be honest, you'd be better off waiting for six weeks, because the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, no matter what antibody test is used. A six week negative would be very unlikely to change, but you will need to test again at three months for a conclusive result.

I've not heard of that specific name-brand before, but it is probably an ELISA bundled with a p24 antigen test. If it's in use in Colorado (or any other State) you can rest assured it's FDA approved and reliable - but a negative result will still need to be confirmed at three months.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I have started to feel tender around my anal region (like a paper cut) which could be from wiping but I fear the worst. I read that I could become infected with Herpes even if he rubbed his penis around my anus. I also read that HIV is much more likely transmitted with Herpes. I will go get checked next week; I have checked myself and can't really see anything.

My question is that is HIV more easily transmitted when the person has Herpes that comes into contact with another person that is HIV positive? Or if I obtained anal Herpes from this person would I likely obtain HIV from this episode because of the Herpes infection? Or are the two viruses independant of each other as far as infection? In other words, does HIV live in the Herpes virus? I am very confused by the data out there.

One last thing. I think I will get an HIV PCR by DNA test done at 28 weeks. I know you think its a waste of money but if it is negative then I can start to overcome my extreme anxiety right now. My belief is that there are no false negatives but a possibility of a false positive. Can you confirm?

Thanks to all of you so much right now. I am going crazy out of my mind.

The PCR was not designed for diagnostic purposes. It's a very sensitive test and known for sometimes yielding false positives, but not false negatives at 28 days or more. A negative PCR at 28 days is the next-best-thing to an all clear, but prudence dictates confirming it with an Elisa at 13 weeks.

In your case I do expect negatives because it's questionable as to whether you even had a risk.

A PCR DNA test is NOT approved for diagnostic purposes. An RNA test is, but it is only supposed to be used where there has been a definite risk, and you have NOT had a definite risk.

PCR testing is expensive. Do yourself a favour and simply test with an ELISA at six weeks and confirm your negative result at three months, like we've already discussed. I really do think you're blowing this out of all proportion.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I couldnt agree more that I am probably blowing this out of proportion; if fact, I am going to see a therapist on Wednesday to deal with these feelings I am having. However, I was doing okay until I started to feel like I might have acquired anal herpes from the encounter which some sites state would lead to increased risk of infection; I am also going to the clinic on Wednesday to get that checked out. As for the PCR, the money is insignificant if it will alleviate my constant worrying and allow me to sleep at night.

I apologize for my OCD and am proactively working on a solution. I do appreciate everything the moderators do on this site as all of you have been a comfort to me over the holidays. I would like to make a donation to the site, so please provide me with information on how to do that and I will do so before year end.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The doctor I went to specializes in HIV. Because of my excessive concern and inability to function properyly, he gave me a prescription of Xanax and ordered an Ultrasensitive RNA Viral test. This was done at day 15. He did state that if that comes back undectable that he could conclude I am not infected. He agress this test is not used for diagnostic of an infection due to false positives, but beleives it will rule out HIV once and for all. Do you agree?

He also believes I was in a very low risk incident but I am suffereing from anxiety to a degree that I am not sleeping, constantly feeling my lymph nodes in my armpit to where I have created some minor swelling and tenderness.

I am sorry for the post, but this is the only outlet I currently have to express my concerns and questions. I have an appointment with a pyschologist next Saturday. Would have been sooner but he was on vacation this week and I am out of town for a couple of days next week.

The RNA PCR test is not meant to be used in isolation nor is it meant to be used to placate anxious patients. Where there has been a definite risk, (you haven't) a negative RNA PCR at fifteen days would be a very good indication, but is by no means conclusive.

You didn't really need to test at all over this incident - unless you were testing as part of a routine sexual health care check up. You would have been better off financially if you simply waited for an ELISA at six weeks like you were advised.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I went to the doctor that focuses a lot on HIV. At 15 days he did a Quantitative Elisa test and the Ultrasensitive RNA Viral Load test which both came back negative. He stated that I am indeed negative because either the Antibodies would show up or there would be a detected viral load; he said if anyone was HIV positive at 15 days there would be one or the other.

Do you guys agree with this? I guess I shouldnt question him since he deals with this all the time.

Ann - I know, my risk was negligible and the tests were unnecessary except for peace of mind. However, I did donate money to AIDS organizations.

If you'd had a real risk, like unprotected anal intercourse, I would advise you to make sure you test out to three months. I wouldn't be comfortable with the doc declaring you definitely negative with test results from only fifteen days.

However, as you haven't had anything more than a theoretical risk, then it is safe to say you are negative.

Make sure you use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse and you will stay that way.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I received a negative result a 28 days for the PCR DNA test. You stated that prudence dictates a follow up on the Elisa at 3 months but that PCR does not have false negatives. Can you elaborate on your concerns regarding being prudent since my PCR DNA test was negative.

I really appreciate everyone's support and responses; you have greatly contributed to assisting me with keeping a good outlook.

Quick question and would really appreciate a response to put my mind at ease. Apparently, a lot of my anxiety seems to be attributed to thyroid issues.

Went to the Doctor and he was worried that I might have Thyroid issues (waiting on test results); which explains why I have issues like waking up in the middle of the night clammy. I read on internet where thyroid issues could be linked to autoimmune issues. Then I read that a positive result could be delayed on an HIV test because of autoimmune issues. I know, a lot of linking here.

My questions:

1. I had a negative DNA PCR (proviral; amplicor 1.5) at 28 days. I have surmised that the antibody test would be affected by autoimmune issues but cannot find any information on the DNA PCR test. Would the DNA PCR test result be affected?2. Also received unprotected oral for 20 seconds; separate occasion from test reason. I believe I read on this site that no one has ever contract HIV from receiving oral. Is that correct?

No. But they are testing me for thyroid issues which would be autoimmune. However, I dont think an autoimmune disorder would have any effect on PCR DNA testing, would it? Seems like it would only affect antibody testing.

You have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if, among a variety of factors:

…You have a family member with a thyroid problem…You have another pituitary or endocrine disease…You or a family member have another autoimmune disease…You've been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome …You've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia …You're female…You're over 60…You've just had a baby…You're near menopause or menopausal …You're a smoker…You've been exposed to radiation…You've been treated with lithium …You've been exposed to certain chemicals (i.e., perchlorate, fluoride)You have never been diagnosised with an autoimmune disease so don't try to play doctor on yourself.

I am not trying to play doctor on myself; it is my doctor that ran the Thyroid test because of my symptoms and the fact that I do have a family history in that dept. Mother (terminal cancer), Father (thyroid issues), grandmother (died of cancer), grandfather (died of cancer).

I wont know the results for a few days and the doctor said many times the tests won't pick up Thyroid issues. I am just asking the question that if some how I did have a Thyroid issue, wouldnt a PCR DNA test result still be valid since it looks at DNA and not antibodies? Thats all I'm asking so I can consider my 28 day PCR DNA test valid and move on. I will still test at 13 weeks, but seeing as there has never been a documented false negative (except newborns) on a DNA PCR test, I can let this go.

I appreciate you thinking that. For some reason, I can't kick the thought that slight penetration (1 inch) for a few seconds is no risk. PCR might not be for diagnostic purposes but I read that there is no false negatives. I just wnated to know if somehow I do have thyroid issues if they would affect a DNA by PCR test.

Read the welcome thread and it says that condoms are effective against HIV. Quick question, I had receptive protected anal sex where the condom didnt break and my partner did not cum until later when he masterbated; in other words, he didnt cum inside the condom when we were having sex.

Is this 100% safe? Are intact condoms 100% safe? Would a condom only fail to be effective if it broke?

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

You claim to have read through the Welcome Thread, but you couldn't have read it very carefully. Please read it again so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

Intact condoms do indeed prevent hiv transmission. You were protected and did not have a risk.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Keep using those condoms correctly and consistently and you will avoid hiv infection.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I read that giving oral sex to a man is a 1 in 10,000 risk. However, would that be lower if there was no ejaculation involved and no sores or cuts in the mouth? lastly, do people really get it from oral? I mean really, with all the studies about serodiscordant couples having protected anal and vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex and staying HIV negative seems that oral cases are probably reported by people who dont want to admit they had unprotected penetrative sex.

Getting a blowjob is not a risk and neither is cunnilingus (either way). There are a rare few people who end up positive from GIVING a blowjob, but these people usually have oral health/hygiene issues. And yes, sometimes people don't want to admit to other sexual acts and sometime people forget what they did under the influence of drink and/or drugs. Take care of your oral health and hygiene and giving blowjobs won't be a problem where hiv is concerned.

And remember, always use condoms correctly and consistently for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Would it be correct to say without ejaculation and no oral/hygiene issues that your risk of giving a blowjob is virtually non existent. In other words, I would have a better chance of a meteor falling on my head. :-)

Just make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, whether you're top or bottom, and you'll be fine. Make sure you check out the condom and lube links in my signature line - and always make sure your tops are using them correctly as well as using the correctly yourself. A correctly used condom rarely breaks.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I really appreciate everyone's assistance on this. Prior to this website, I was uneducated and not really aware of was a risk and what wasnt. Thanks to you guys, I feel that I am becoming much more educated and thus can make choices associated with a risk level I feel comfortable with so I don't freak out about every encounter. My new strategy is:

1. Always ask status2. Protection for any kind of anal or vaginal sex3. No ejaculation involved with oral sex (giving/receiving)4. Do not give oral if I have any cuts in mouth or bleeding gums5. Have STD check ups every 6 months

Unless you see something flawed in my strategy, I want to thank everyone. Hopefully I never have a condom break, but if I do, you will probably see me back here more for support than anything thanks to you taking the time to educate me.